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Scientists looking for new sites of hydrothermal vents in the Pacific Ocean have made a major discovery. They discovered a relatively recent volcanic eruption in the background of the Marianas of the Western Pacific Ocean. It is about 14,700 feet below the surface, making it the deepest volcanic eruption ever seen on Earth.
By comparison, it is deeper below the surface of the ocean than Mount Rainier, above sea level.
"We know that most of the volcanic activity in the world actually takes place in the ocean, but it remains largely undetected and invisible," said lead author Bill Chadwick, a marine geologist specializing in the University of Oregon and NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory. "This is because submarine earthquakes associated with volcanism are generally weak and most instruments are far off on land. Many of these areas are deep and leave no clue to the surface. This makes the underwater eruptions very elusive. "
All this changed when researchers used improved technology and exploration methods. They have detected evidence of about 40 underwater eruptions since 1990. Previously, there was no example of underwater eruption.
The recent discovery is based on data collected by remote-controlled vehicles Deep Discoverer and SuBastian. The combined data from the ROV has provided a better understanding of this under-studied world of the submarine volcano.
The researchers had the first opportunity to see this eruption of a submarine volcano in the background of the Mariana in December 2015, while they were monitoring the area with the help of Onboard cameras aboard an autonomous underwater vehicle, Sentry. The first photos revealed the presence of a dark and glassy lava flow on the sea floor, with continuous ventilation of the hydrothermal fluid, suggesting that the lava was still hot and therefore very young.
When the researchers returned to the site in April and December of 2016, they noticed significant changes in depth in the area. The new lava flow spanned an area approximately 4.5 miles long and 130 to 450 feet thick.
"Generally, after an eruption, the heat is released and evacuated for a few years. The organisms will colonize the vents, creating a new ecosystem, "Chadwick said. "But after a while, the system will cool down and the mobile organisms will leave. There was still air leakage, but he had visibly decreased a lot. "
Underwater volcanic eruptions can dramatically alter their environment. The close survey on the deepest submarine volcanic eruption provides a more detailed insight into the inner workings of underwater volcanoes and their overall impact within the ocean. .
"Underwater volcanoes can help us better understand the functioning of terrestrial volcanoes and their impact on ocean chemistry, which can have a significant impact on local ecosystems," Chadwick said. "It's a special learning opportunity when we're able to find them."
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